African Sunrise – Rahn Burton
A medium even-8ths song with a long form, based on a rhythmic call-and-response vamp. First recorded by Rahn in a duo setting with young bass phenom Daryl Johns.
- Recording: Rahn Burton - Rahn Burton - Daryl Johns Duo
- Recorded on: August 25, 2011
- Label: jazzleadsheets.com (JLS 1045)
- Concert Key: D minor
- Style: Latin (medium)
- Piano - Rahn Burton
- Bass - Daryl Johns
Video
- Young Daryl Johns joins Rahn Burton in a piano/bass duo interpretation of Rahn's AFRICAN SUNRISE. August 25, 2011 at the Van Gelder Recording Studio.
The C treble clef and C bass clef lead sheets have the bass line written out for the intro; B♭ andE♭ lead sheets show cues for the bass line.
When jazzleadsheets.com's Don Sickler was researching the music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, he wanted to confirm some musical details with people who played with Rahsaan. One musician he found, who luckily lived in New York City, was pianist Rahn Burton. Rahn was happy to go over Don's questions, as he'd played with Rahsaan for many years. As they were talking at our studio, Rahn mentioned that he had some compositions of his own, even a few that had never been recorded. He was glad to bring them over, and Don found a few that he thought would be ideal for another project, piano/bass duos with young bassist Daryl Johns. As you can see from the video of the recording session, the duo "clicked."
Rahn Burton
February 10, 1934 – January 25, 2013
Rahn Burton is best known for his work as the pianist for Rahsaan Roland Kirk, but his charismatic piano and composition skills made him a notable figure in jazz in his own right. Born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1934, Rahn (originally spelled "Ron") began his professional career in the 1950s. In 1953, he began his legendary collaboration with Rahsaan Roland Kirk and began a tour with him throughout the Midwest for six years. One of Rahsaan's earliest albums for Argo includes a Rahn Burton original, which highlighted the talents of the young composer. He toured with George Adams during the mid-1960s playing organ throughout New York, Syracuse and Louisville. He worked in Atlanta with Sirone before rejoining Kirk in the late 1960s. He toured and made several recordings with him until the mid-1970s before parting ways. Read more...